Chapter Four: Driving the S-35, Flying Across the Vast Skies of Daxia
When Su Yuan received this news, he was stunned.
He was going back to Daxia, but he had never thought he would return in this way.
Of course, he didn't refuse, nor could he.
All he had to do was try his best to protect the old man's safety.
Of course, he also knew that the fighter jet escort was just a precaution in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
But the journey to Daxia wouldn't pass through any other countries' airspace, so the possibility of an accident was unlikely, even negligible.
However, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Even so, both Dean Mo Lei and the Minister of Defense personally called to instruct him to absolutely ensure the Emperor's safety.
"I'm going back!"
Standing by the window, gazing at the trainees outside, Su Yuan took a deep breath, then took out his phone and called his mother, Ye Wenqin.
"Mom, barring any unforeseen circumstances, I'll be back in the country next week."
The first words that came out of Su Yuan's mouth after the call connected.
Ye Wenqin paused for a moment, then a voice filled with joy replied softly, "Good, good, good. Tell me the exact date when you're leaving, and I'll go to the airport to pick you up."
Pick him up?
If he was going back alone, he wouldn't have refused his mother's offer. After all, he hadn't seen her in four years, and he missed her dearly.
But as an escort, he would likely land at the Xiajing Air Force Base. It would be impossible for his mother to pick him up.
Furthermore, even if they landed, he would be accompanying the Emperor.
It was highly unlikely that he could go home directly before the visit ended.
Thinking of this, Su Yuan quickly said, "No, I can go back on my own. Plus, I have something to take care of after I get back. I'll go home myself after I'm done."
"What could be more important than coming home first?"
Even though Ye Wenqin wasn't one to pry, she couldn't help but ask.
Su Yuan was helpless, but it was hard to explain the escort mission over the phone, so he could only offer a vague explanation.
Though confused, Ye Wenqin didn't press further.
Her son was coming back. A few days wouldn't make a difference.
"Alright, be careful."
Ye Wenqin seemed to have something to do and didn't talk for too long, only giving him two brief instructions.
However, Su Yuan could tell that his mother was hoping he would come home right away.
He shook his head, not thinking about it anymore.
This wasn't something he could decide.
...
Three days later.
First Air Defense Command.
Airstrip.
On the S-35 fighter jet, Su Yuan calmly started the engine and turned on the avionics system.
Boom!
The unique roar of the S-35 fighter jet's turbofan engine, even louder than the S-27's, reverberated across the entire airstrip.
The continuous wind howled, forcing the maintenance crew to keep their distance.
The roar seemed to express its yearning for the blue sky, for the heavens.
And now, someone was taking it to soar through the skies.
The S-35 fighter jet started, and Su Yuan saluted the maintenance crew below.
It was a gesture of gratitude he offered every time.
Being able to pilot an absolutely safe, flawless S-35 fighter jet was the result of the silent dedication of every member of the maintenance crew and ground staff.
Without their efforts, how could he even be soaring through the sky at 10,000 meters?
Outside the safety zone, the maintenance crew and numerous ground staff, upon witnessing Su Yuan's gesture, silently raised their right hands, saluting the S-35 fighter jet about to take off and its pilot, Su Yuan.
"Major Su is always so polite."
One of the maintenance crew, looking at Su Yuan saluting them, spoke.
"Our strongest air force pilot in Xiong, it's just a pity Major Su isn't Xiong's."
Someone sighed.
"What's wrong with that?"
"He can still be our Xiong's Major Su!"
Someone responded, but not many others echoed him.
Everyone knew very well that it was difficult for Su Yuan to stay in Xiong for long.
There were no problems now, but once Daxia found out about Su Yuan, wouldn't they offer him an olive branch?
Especially since Daxia's air force was inherently weak, lacking even a single ace pilot, Su Yuan's appearance perfectly filled the gap.
Most importantly, Su Yuan's ability as a flight instructor.
He could train an aspiring ace and several first-class pilots for Xiong. It was just as possible for him to train equally skilled pilots for Daxia's air force.
They didn't believe Daxia wouldn't extend an olive branch to Su Yuan.
Especially considering Su Yuan's family already held a high position in Daxia's military.
Once Daxia offered him an olive branch, would Su Yuan refuse?
No one knew for sure.
But one thing was clear: no one, no soldier, could refuse an olive branch from their own country. No one wanted to resist the embrace of a great nation.
No one didn't want their country to become stronger.
Especially a soldier with such a strong sense of responsibility like Su Yuan.
On the S-35 fighter jet, Su Yuan lowered his arm, his face serious as he activated the communication function and contacted the tower: "Tower, Falcon is ready, requesting to taxi out!"
"Falcon, Tower received, Tower received. Today's weather is clear, ground temperature is 20 degrees, 3-level wind, field pressure 1200. You may taxi out and enter Runway 1!"
"Repeating, you may taxi out and enter Runway 1!"
"Received, Tower!"
With that, Su Yuan took a deep breath. The deep green Su-35 fighter jet, under his control, began to taxi out of the airstrip, slowly heading towards Runway 1.
He kept his eyes on the front, his right hand on the control stick, his left hand pushing forward on the throttle, and pressing down on the stick.
There was no excitement or passion like his first time flying the Su-35 fighter jet. Now, as an ace pilot, Su Yuan's face remained calm.
The next second, with the blazing blue flames shooting out, the fully loaded Su-35 fighter jet, weighing thirty tons, like a sword unsheathed, accelerated from zero, accelerated along the runway, continuously accelerating.
The controllable canards also began to adjust, and the flaps were changing with the wind speed and airflow at this time.
Air currents continuously swept across the Su-35 fighter jet, generating immense lift for this behemoth.
100 meters!
150 meters!
200 meters!
300 meters!
After the Su-35 fighter jet had rolled 300 meters at high speed, the almost fully loaded jet reached its takeoff critical point under the force of enormous lift.
The nose slowly rose, its long, sword-like body rapidly broke free from the earth's constraints, soaring towards the radiant sun rising in the distance.
This was the Su-35 fighter jet, capable of reaching takeoff conditions within a very short distance, even shorter if necessary.
All this was thanks to its excellent performance.
Its thrust of up to 14,500 kN was its greatest confidence.
Below, the First Air Defense Command rapidly shrunk.
The phenomenal climb rate allowed this behemoth to climb at a rate of 280 meters per second. Within seconds, the Su-35 fighter jet had already reached 10,000 meters.
However, this was not the Su-35 fighter jet's ceiling.
18,000 meters, that was its realm of romance.
Even at 10,000 meters, the Su-35 fighter jet seemed effortless, smooth as silk. Its superior maneuverability and power made the Su-35 fighter jet's performance truly remarkable.
Compared to the Su-35 fighter jet, the Su-27 fighter jet couldn't match it in any aspect.
Its maneuverability was inferior, and its overall flight performance was even worse.
This genuine fourth-and-a-half generation Xiong fighter jet provided Su Yuan with an incredible flight experience.
Soaring through the sky, trailing a white, swirling vortex, leaving behind a white sonic boom cloud.
If he could, he wished he could continue flying the Su-35 fighter jet, cruising at nearly 20,000 meters, gazing at the sun's radiant rays and looking out at the stars.
Flying a Su-35 fighter jet, that was true masculinity at its most romantic.
However, Su Yuan had no intention of continuing to climb.
He heard the notification that the Il-series plane had taken off, and the Il-series plane's flight path appeared on the Su-35 fighter jet's display.
Without hesitation, Su Yuan piloted the Su-35 fighter jet and sped towards the Il-series plane.
Below, two trails of air currents stretched out like ribbons across the sky.
The fighter jet's speed was no match for the Il-series plane.
Soon, Su Yuan spotted the Il-series plane.
"Il-series plane, Falcon is in position."
He activated the special, classified channel, and his voice was transmitted.
"Il-series plane received, Falcon. Just follow us."
The Il-series plane quickly responded.
"Received."
The entire Su-35 fighter jet, in a standard posture, climbed alongside the Il-series plane, its movements as swift as thunder. It dominated the skies, looking down at the entire Mo City.
The journey was uneventful.
In fact, nothing could possibly happen.
The top Xiong leader's plane, especially one not passing through any other countries' airspace. Who would dare to make a move?
Honestly, sending fighter jets to follow and escort was redundant.
Normally, flights from Mo City reaching the Daxia border would take at least five hours, but the people of Xiong were different.
The Il-series plane's speed was fast, and within two hours, they had already reached the border between Daxia and Xiong.
Daxia had also sent fighter jets to meet them.
Two J-20 fighter jets were waiting.
However, the two J-20 fighter pilots were startled when they saw the escort configuration on the Xiong side.
"Superman, did I see that correctly? Xiong only sent one Su-35 to follow?"
A first-class air force pilot, codenamed Mamba, was stunned when he saw only two fighter jets appearing on the radar.
The Il-series plane, the one carrying Xiong's top leader.
In such a situation, Xiong only sent a single Su-35 to follow. Even if it didn't pass through other countries' airspace, Mamba thought it was too careless.
What if something happened? Who would bear the responsibility?
"Impossible, Superman, you're joking, right?"
Superman didn't believe it at first, but when he saw the radar display, he was also stunned.
"Damn!"
Superman took a deep breath, his expression turning serious: "Mamba, contact headquarters immediately and report this situation."
Fear!
Even a bit of panic!
On the Xiong side, the Emperor's Il-series plane, only escorted by one Su-35!
If anything happened, even if they were not involved, both he and Mamba would be held accountable.
Mamba, as the wingman, quickly contacted headquarters.
While this was happening, Superman activated the dedicated channel and requested communication with the Il-series plane and Su Yuan's Su-35.
"Il-series plane, this is Daxia Air Force, codename Superman. Please respond."
"Il-series plane received! Please speak."
Superman took a deep breath: "Mamba and I will take over escort duties. The Su-35 will follow."
"Il-series plane received, follow your lead."
"Falcon received!"
Su Yuan, also on the dedicated channel, heard Superman's words and responded in impeccable Mandarin.
However, his fluent Mandarin left Superman completely bewildered.
Mandarin?
And such flawless Mandarin!
A Xiong air force pilot speaking such fluent Mandarin?
Superman was stunned. What was going on?
He was already confused by the fact that only one Su-35 fighter jet was escorting the Il-series plane, and now Su Yuan's sudden words had completely thrown him off balance.
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